New drinking fountains may help reduce obesity rates
Drinking water fountains worth $6500 apiece are to be rolled out at more Taranaki playgrounds in a bid to combat the region’s high child obesity rate and costly dental care.
Taranaki has the secondhighest child obesity rates in the country with almost 20 per cent considered obese.
Taranaki’s Medical Officer of Health Dr Jonathan Jarman said the installation of more public water fountains could help with a number of child health issues.
‘‘We also have a large number of young children under the age of five who need general anaesthetic for tooth extractions due to tooth decay, and this is costing our DHB over $200,000 per year.’’
A recent Taranaki DHB Public Health Unit study showed a considerable lack of accessible free water in parks, playgrounds and major walkways in the region. Only one in five public playgrounds in Taranaki has a drinking water fountain.
Last year a study by the University of Otago showed more drinking water fountains could help address New Zealand’s obesity epidemic, encourage fitness such as dog walking and reduce the risk of heat stroke.
Over the next few months the public health unit will work closely with the New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) to install more drinking water fountains in public areas.
The first two will be in Nga¯ motu Domain and Kawaroa Playground before the summer. The total number of new fountains, which cost on average $6500 each, has not yet been decided.
New Zealand had the hottest summer on record over 2017 and 2018, so having more drinking water fountains makes a lot of sense as summer temperatures increase, Jarman said.
‘‘If we had more drinking water fountains where children could access free plain water it may stop them from turning to cheap sugary drinks when they are being active outside. It is much better if children can have free water from a tap rather than carrying around plastic bottles full of sugar.’’
NPDC Infrastructure Manager David Langford said the public health unit study highlighted the need for the council to work with the unit for improved community health.
‘‘As part of our regular operations NPDC ensures that all current drinking water fountains are checked, cleaned and functioning properly.’’
NPDC is now working with the DHB to identify the best locations for new drinking water fountains to be installed, Langford said.
‘‘We all want to work together to ensure the healthy choice is the easy choice. In the longer term NPDC will look at a joint project with the public health unit asking children what they want and where they would like drinking water fountains.’’
NPDC’s parks department has an annual budget to cover the cost of installing and replacing drinking water fountains, he said.
‘‘Timeframes on any additional fountains will depend on the number of fountains we identify with the TDHB and being able to accommodate them within our existing budgets.’’